VALENTINE'S DAY SCROOGE©

I had always been frustrated with my husband\'s lack of enthusiasm for Valentine\'s Day, meaning a card given halfheartedly was the most I could expect. But since he was a wonderful, loving husband and father and did nice things for me all year, I really couldn\'t complain.

However, on Valentine\'s Day, as my co-workers received flowers, candy, and romantic cards from their husbands and boyfriends, I couldn\'t help but feel sorry for myself.

Sue just got flowers . . . Becky just got a balloon bouquet . . . oooh, and a candy bouquet for Sara!  I decided to take a quick break and go for a walk to blow off a little steam.  It was near lunchtime; maybe I\'d treat myself to a special Valentine\'s Day lunch.

As I walked out the door of my office building, I was approached by a mime.  I had seen him \"working the street\" the past few weeks and got a kick out of his silent antics.  Today he seemed to sense my blue mood and walked right up to me.

The mime drew his face into a sad one to match my expression and proceeded to entertain me with a series of scenarios that depicted sadness turned to happiness.  At the end of his routine, he magically whipped out a bouquet of brightly-colored paper flowers and handed them to me with a flourish.

As I reached out to take them, he grasped my hand and opened it, palm flat.  He took the flowers, gave them a little shake above my hand, and out dropped a ring.  Thinking this was a continuation of his entertainment, I picked it up to examine it, and found it to be a curiously real-looking opal surrounded by tiny diamonds.  This guy must be getting some great tips!

A hand reached out and touched my arm, and there stood my husband, Richard, smiling with the pleasure of a small child.  \"Honey,\" he said, \"that ring is for you.  Happy Valentine\'s Day.  I love you.\"

\"But, Richard, you don\'t believe in Valentine\'s Day!\" I squeaked as I put the ring on and held it out in the sunlight to admire it.

\"No, honey, that\'s not really true.  I\'ve just been saving up for something really special!\"

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